Optimus' POV

Chapter Twelve – A Deal is Made.

"No."

"Ironhide, circumstances being what they are..."

"Dam it Prime, I said no!"

Ironhide and Optimus stared at each other for a few seconds before the Autobot leader replied sternly, "Ironhide we have no choice. Ravage will have certainly alerted the remaining Decepticons of your interest in protecting a human by now."

Ironhide didn't look away from Optimus' optics and replied just as firmly, "I don't care if Megatron himself came back and tried to take her, I would fight them all off."

Optimus smiled inwardly and turned away, staring into the coming dawn. "I know you would Ironhide, but you would really risk her wellbeing well aware of the fact you could not fight them all at once should she remain at her present residence?" His voice grew softer as he returned his gaze to his Weapon Specialist. "One would get past you. One would take Zoe."

Ironhide sighed sadly and stared down. Although her legs were smeared in mud and blood, the young teen appeared peaceful, laying unconscious in her protector's hands. Her body was limp; almost lifeless, had it not been for the steady rise and fall of her chest. The trees around them were suddenly alight by the morning sun, throwing fire into the grass before it gradually made its way up to the standing Cybertronians. Optimus watched it turn his own colours to a dazzling brilliance and made Ironhide's black shine magnificently. However it brightened every deep gash, every dent and every smudge of energon the Weapon Specialist had sustained. Optimus shook his head and turned his head back to the human in his hands.

She was so young, her existence next to nothing when compared to himself and the other Autobots, even Bumblebee. She knew nothing of the universe, nothing of his planet, nor did she probably care. She was too wrapped in her own life; job, parents, friends, life in general. Optimus recalled Sam, how he too was young and had been completely inexperienced once. But he had proved himself and had even saved not only Optimus but Earth as well. Gazing at Zoe, so still and pale, made Optimus' spark clench painfully. Here was another innocent life endangered because of the Autobots presence. Maybe Ratchet had been right; maybe they should leave Earth and hope the Decepticons followed.

But...

Optimus had not seen Ironhide like this in many, many vorns. Before he had been the mighty warrior he was today, Ironhide had once had a family; a beautiful spark mate called Chromia and two sparklings of his own; Jet and Starfire. Each had their own unique personality, Jet taking on Chromia's compassionate and leadership qualities whilst the youngest Starfire had inherited Ironhide's recklessness and unyielding loyalty. Each had had a special place in their creators spark and their deaths had brought Optimus grief, although it had been nothing compared to Ironhide's.

Ironhide had turned from a strategist to the most feared Autobot in the galaxy. He used cruel torture when interrogating enemies, killed mercilessly on the battle field – often fatally wounding them before leaving them to offline slowly - and becoming an empty shell, his spark having been seemingly extinguished from sheer sadness.

Their arrival on Earth and the events of Mission City had done nothing to change that, his attitude remained aloof and although he applied himself in every encounter with the Decepticons, there was a part of Optimus that felt as though Ironhide wanted to leave them; that he wanted to have his spark smothered and be with his family. The Autobot leader would have never admitted it to anyone, not even himself at times but still, his worry towards his friend began to mount.

After becoming excessively stubborn, refusing to cooperate with and around all humans he came into contact with, Optimus had had no choice but order him away from base, demanding he find a human owner and remain with them until he received new orders. Despite his pride clearly having trouble; Ironhide had left. After a few weeks he had gotten purchased by a teenager, an equally stubborn, caring and reckless girl, who seemed to relish her trucks grumpiness and short temper. Meeting her and conversing was a risk – albeit a necessary one – but it had been an interesting experience for both bots.

"Ironhide?" Optimus prompted him, catching Ironhide's gaze and holding them, waiting for his decision.

"What will happen if she reacts like Sam did? What will happen when she wants us to leave her alone for good?" Ironhide asked simply, his optics shining with fear.

"That is her choice Ironhide. She has a right to decide for herself. Although from what I have observed, she seems to enjoy you being in her life."

There was a slight pause before Ironhide answered.

"I... I do not want to lose her Optimus."

"Although I refrain from trying to predict human reactions, I would assume Zoe would like you to remain as her own, no matter whether you are indeed an 'alien robot'."

Ironhide sighed once more but finality had entered his optics. He cradled Zoe closely to his chest and replied, "Very well Optimus, you win. But, please, give me a few days. I'll explain everything to her myself."

Optimus understood. "Very well, I shall give you four days to show your true form to her. However may you consider doing something further for me?"

Ironhide nodded once.

"Receive medical treatment from Ratchet, immediately. I will return Zoe to her home."

Ironhide nodded again but by the way his shoulders sagged minutely, Optimus knew that he was conflicted; wanting to remain close to his charge whilst needing the medical attention. After a few seconds, Optimus transformed, pieces folding and shifting softly and when a Peterbilt was all that remained and slowly opened his passenger door, Ironhide carefully placed Zoe into his Leaders cab; briefly touching Zoe's cheek in a silent goodbye. Only when he had backed off, shifted into his Topkick form and had started driving did Optimus slide the seatbelt around the unconscious teen and roll out of the forest after him. They continued like that until they made it to the main road before Ironhide turned left and made his way towards the Autobot base.

Thankfully Optimus did not have to activate his holoform as his windows were heavily tinted and there was limited traffic around so he kept his processor on the child's friends, who would grow anxious and call the authorities when they discovered her missing. Deciding to tap all communication they had until Zoe regained consciousness and was able to reassure them of her health, Optimus returned his attention to his passenger.

She had sustained several cuts on her lower legs due to her falls and stumbles during the battle. Although not deep, they were at risk of infection from the mud coating her shins and knees. On her stomach she had a football sized bruise, which was slowly purpling; Ironhide's attempt to remove her from Ravages claws had bruised both bone and skin however no ribs were broken or cracked. The bullets that Ravage had aimed at her whilst he and Ironhide were locked in their confrontation had missed Zoe completely. Scanning her mind for psychological strain would be pointless until she awoke so all he could do was wait.

Optimus slowly reclined the seat and he comforted it gently, warming it simultaneously. Having little experience with humans inside his cab, Optimus simply drove in silence, his engine a quiet purr whilst he blocked out all the louder sounds of passing cars from his passenger.

Would four days be too long? Could Zoe handle what was about to be placed upon her shoulders? Apart from Sam and Mikaela, no other civilians were aware of their presence on Earth. Should this youngling be trusted with a secret that would endanger her life from this point on?